Ensure fair delimitation exercise for early Assembly polls

Governor rule cannot be substitute of elected Govt: Raman Bhalla

Jammu: Former minister and senior Congress leader, Raman Bhalla Friday batted for holding the delimitation exercise in Jammu and Kashmir in a free, fair and transparent manner and said that the process should be completed in shortest possible time to pave way for early Assembly elections.He said that the Party favours early delimitation in a time-bound manner and completion of the process for the early conduct of Assembly elections in the J&K. He said the delimitation exercise should be conducted in accordance with the Constitution and norms and procedure prescribed under the law taking into account various parameters of population, area, terrain, topography and other such considerations in order to ensure complete justice with each and every area.“Since the BJP Government at the Centre has absolute majority and J&K UT is under Lt Governor’s rule, let them expedite the process and complete it for early holding the Assembly polls”, he said.Interacting with prominent persons of Gandhi Nagar constituency today, Bhalla doubted  the intention of the BJP for vested political interests and said that entire exercise should be held in a transparent manner as per settled norms and law on the subject and taking the people of different parts and constituencies in to confidence. He said ruling party leaders are looking for selective benefits which will be counterproductive and hurt the interests of people in the long run.Bhalla said that last time a delimitation exercise took place in J&K during 1995, when the State was under President’s rule. The delimitation panel was headed by Justice KK Gupta (Retd). As per Section 60 of J&K Reorganization Act, the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly shall be increased from 107 to 114. Delimitation of constituencies must be carried out to determine the number of seats to be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Assembly. He demanded that the Delimitation Commission should ensure complete justice to each region, sub region and different areas and sections of the society.Bhalla maintained that Congress priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory,” he said.Bhalla stressed that an atmosphere of safety and security needs to be ensured for all sections of society in Jammu and Kashmir.He said that Congress will do everything to make Jammu and Kashmir a zone of peace rather than a zone of conflict.In the backdrop of establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj System through election and the constitution of block and district development council, there is an urgent need to give a further fillip to the democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir.Bhalla said that all parties are an integral part of the delimitation process and their views should be taken on board. He specially noted that a bureaucratic government was no substitute for one run by public representatives.Bhalla  said that it is the responsibility of all leaders of different political parties to put forth their view point and also frame an agenda to move further.Post abrogation, people of both regions have suffered lot due to absence of elected Government, now it is responsibility of all stakeholders to join hands for peace, prosperity and development of both regions.He said gun is not the solution of any problem but has generated number of issues which are yet to be settled.Our youth are in an adversity due to amiss policies of administration. He said public issues are addressed in democratic set up and not in bureaucratic culture where people have no access in power corridors. “Governor Rule is a temporary phase but cannot be substitute of elected Government. Without asking questions, we can trust our leadership who has participated in poll process of J&K during awful situation. We believe that the Lt Governor rule cannot be an alternative to the elected Govt and elections should be held as early as possible in J&K,’ said Bhalla. He said  people of Jammu and Kashmir are feeling disempowered with the downgrading of the erstwhile State into a Union Territory. The rules are being framed directly from Delhi without the consultation and it is annoying for people of J&K.’ He said Congress demands Statehood should be restored and elections should be held in J&K as people are suffering because of ignorance and bureaucratic attitude of the officials.’